"The Pioneer" - March 2013

55 years and 6 days after the line south from East Grinstead was closed, and 50 years after the line was lifted, the first Bluebell Railway train from East Grinstead departed at 09.45 on Saturday 23rd March 2013, in unseasonal snow. The historic train was hauled by E4 no. 473 and tailed by the first two Bluebell engines to arrive on the line, 323 Bluebell and 55 Stepney.

This gallery shows the ECS working heading north and the ensuing departure at the south end of Imberhorne tip, the major blockage which had to be overcome to restore services.